Gunnet Ledge monitoring buoy, Firth of Forth
Introduction
Continuous salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll data has been collected from in the Inner Firth of Forth at Gunnet Ledge since 1993. Chlorophyll-a is used to indicate the biomass of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton growth is stimulated by nutrients exported from the estuary into the clearer coastal waters of the Firth of Forth. Excessive phytoplankton growth may cause an undesirable disturbance to the ecosystem if the decaying algae remove oxygen from the water column and sea bed. The monitoring at Gunnet Ledge is used in conjunction with regular collection of physical plankton samples to assess the status of the coastal waters of the Inner Firth of Forth as part of SEPA’s obligations to the Water Framework Directive and OSPAR.
Current observations:
Data is collected at 30 minute intervals and the data are displayed as daily averages.
Data requests
If you require any further information regarding our monitoring buoys please direct your enquiries via email.
Disclaimer
The monitoring buoy data is gathered by SEPA to help it fulfil its statutory duties. We publish it online because we recognise that this information may also be useful for others, but we cannot guarantee its currency or availability. The majority of our buoys do not have remote telemetry and so data availability is subject to monthly downloads when the buoys undergo maintenance.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, neither Scottish Environment Protection Agency, nor its employees or agents can be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. All data should be regarded as provisional and may be subject to later revision.